Unhealthy Lifestyles Result in Over 2 Million Yearly Deaths Linked to Chronic Illnesses in Europe and Central Asia Regions
Headline: Partial Murnelling of Preventable Health Issues: Europe Struggles Against Noncommunicable Diseases
Europe is grappling with a significant health crisis. It's not an unexpected virus strain that's rampaging through the continent, but rather the silent, yet deadly, onslaught of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). According to a recent World Health Organization (WHO) report, nearly 2 million people in Europe die each year from treatable and preventable health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
The report, spanning WHO's European region, encompasses 53 countries in Europe and Central Asia. Surprisingly, one in five men under the age of 70 and one in 10 women succumb to these preventable maladies. Disturbingly, 60% of these death cases are linked to risk factors like tobacco, alcohol, poor diets, lack of exercise, and high blood pressure. An additional 40% of these deaths could be avoided if individuals had timely access to healthcare services.
Hans Henri Kluge, WHO's Europe director, alarmingly stated, "Noncommunicable diseases are not just preventable or treatable; they are also largely ignored." He further illuminated, "Yet the truth is, if [these conditions] were a virus, the world would be in lockdown." This stark reality underscores the need for urgent and concerted action against NCDs.
The good news is that some countries are making strides towards reducing the burden of NCDs. Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Israel, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland have managed to decrease premature mortality from NCDs by at least 25% since 2010. These countries have implemented comprehensive packages of WHO Best Buys, reduced the prevalence of key risk factors, strengthened their healthcare systems, and embraced a multifaceted policy approach.
However, the battle against NCDs is far from over. The gaps between countries in terms of tobacco use, obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes have widened since 2010, with only minor improvements in air pollution and overall deaths. The continued rise in these risk factors and the aging population threaten to exacerbate the burden of chronic conditions.
In an effort to address this pressing issue, countries will convene in New York for a United Nations conference on noncommunicable diseases in September. The conference will focus on access to primary care, mental wellbeing, and the influence of businesses and commercial actors on health outcomes. Kluge emphasized, "We have the power and tools to turn things around."
In the face of this looming health catastrophe, it is essential that Europe finds the political will to implement and fund comprehensive policies aimed at addressing the prevention and treatment of NCDs. By focusing on evidence-based prevention strategies, improving access to healthcare services, and engaging various sectors, countries can effectively curb the surge of preventable deaths and pave the way for a healthier Europe.
Sources:
- European region, World Health Organization. (n.d.). Noncommunicable disease country profiles, 2021: Progress towards the global targets for the prevention and control of cardiovascular disease, dental disease, diabetes, and cancer. Retrieved from https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/344954
- European region, World Health Organization. (2021, October 26). More than 1.8 million avoidable deaths from NCDs in Europe each year - progress towards avoiding NCDs has slowed in the WHO European Region. Retrieved from https://www.euro.who.int/en/news/news/2021/more-than-18-million-avoidable-deaths-from-ncds-in-europe-each-year-progress-towards-avoiding-ncds-has-slowed-in-the-who-european-region
- World Cancer Research Fund International. (2021). Policy and global targets for the prevention and control of cancer. Retrieved from https://www.wcrf.org/dietandcancer/cancer-prevention/policy-and-global-targets/policy-and-global-targets-faq
- World Health Organization. (2021, February 8). Non-communicable diseases. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases
- The silent onslaught of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in Europe, including chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and mental health conditions, claims nearly 2 million lives each year.
- Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that one in five men under the age of 70 and one in 10 women in Europe succumb to these preventable NCDs, often linked to risk factors like tobacco, alcohol, poor diets, lack of exercise, and high blood pressure.
- While some countries like Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Israel, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland have succeeded in decreasing premature mortality from NCDs by at least 25% since 2010, the overall situation remains dire as the prevalence of risk factors such as tobacco use, obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes continues to rise.
- Acknowledging the urgent need for action, the United Nations will convene a conference in New York in September to focus on access to primary care, mental wellbeing, and the influence of businesses and commercial actors on health outcomes.
- With the aging population in Europe posing a significant threat to cardiovascular health and the continued rise in NCD risk factors, it is crucial for Europe to focus on evidence-based prevention strategies, improve access to healthcare services, and engage various sectors to effectively curb the surge of preventable deaths and ensure a healthier future for all.
